Life Defined | Life Designed
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ANDREA VERONICA PETRALIA
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BUSINESSHACKS
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Life Defined | Life Designed
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BUSINESSHACKS
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ANDREA VERONICA PETRALIA
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What does Courage Look Like
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What Does Courage Look Like?
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JAN 29 • 5 MIN READ
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"Courage, according to Aristotle, is the first of all virtues. That's because without courage, none of the other virtues would be possible."
Courage doesn't mean we are never afraid. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's putting one foot in front of the other, even when we're not quite sure where the path leads, or whether or not we even have the strength to take another step. That's the reality of it, in those uncertain steps.
Hollywood and society have many believing that courage is shrouded in the perfect physique, with supernatural talents and not an ounce of fear. Is that the standard we should be striving for? After all, those heroes already have what they need for victory. For them, it's only a matter of timing, and maybe an Oscar-winning writer to string together the right chain of events.
When I think back to what courage looked like as I faced it in my life, it had none of those ideals. It was without the proper resources. No one giving me a script to follow. And definitely no promise of timing. Instead, there were tears and great suffering, coupled with a will to overcome and survive that I didn't even understand.
Courage doesn't mean we are never afraid. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's putting one foot in front of the other, even when we're not quite sure where the path leads, or whether or not we even have the strength to take another step. That's the reality of it, in those uncertain steps.
Hollywood and society have many believing that courage is shrouded in the perfect physique, with supernatural talents and not an ounce of fear. Is that the standard we should be striving for? After all, those heroes already have what they need for victory. For them, it's only a matter of timing, and maybe an Oscar-winning writer to string together the right chain of events.
When I think back to what courage looked like as I faced it in my life, it had none of those ideals. It was without the proper resources. No one giving me a script to follow. And definitely no promise of timing. Instead, there were tears and great suffering, coupled with a will to overcome and survive that I didn't even understand.
settings
"Courage, according to Aristotle, is the first of all virtues. That's because without courage, none of the other virtues would be possible."
Courage doesn't mean we are never afraid. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's putting one foot in front of the other, even when we're not quite sure where the path leads, or whether or not we even have the strength to take another step. That's the reality of it, in those uncertain steps.
Hollywood and society have many believing that courage is shrouded in the perfect physique, with supernatural talents and not an ounce of fear. Is that the standard we should be striving for? After all, those heroes already have what they need for victory. For them, it's only a matter of timing, and maybe an Oscar-winning writer to string together the right chain of events.
When I think back to what courage looked like as I faced it in my life, it had none of those ideals. It was without the proper resources. No one giving me a script to follow. And definitely no promise of timing. Instead, there were tears and great suffering, coupled with a will to overcome and survive that I didn't even understand.
Courage doesn't mean we are never afraid. I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. It's putting one foot in front of the other, even when we're not quite sure where the path leads, or whether or not we even have the strength to take another step. That's the reality of it, in those uncertain steps.
Hollywood and society have many believing that courage is shrouded in the perfect physique, with supernatural talents and not an ounce of fear. Is that the standard we should be striving for? After all, those heroes already have what they need for victory. For them, it's only a matter of timing, and maybe an Oscar-winning writer to string together the right chain of events.
When I think back to what courage looked like as I faced it in my life, it had none of those ideals. It was without the proper resources. No one giving me a script to follow. And definitely no promise of timing. Instead, there were tears and great suffering, coupled with a will to overcome and survive that I didn't even understand.
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As Viktor Frankl said, "There is no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bare witness that a man has the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer."
Courage is something that everyone wants. It shows good character. It commands respect. It's something to wear, like a medal, to show others what great people we are. But many don't take into consideration the sacrifices that are made to wear that medal of honor.
It doesn't feel good, being courageous. Those that act with courage don't do it for the accolades. They do it because they don't know how else to be. They do it because that's the option that weighs heaviest on them. It's the moment when you realize "I know what I must do" and then you take that step.
So what does courage look like, you ask? It's the frail, exhausted parent, shoring himself up in the hospital hallway, willing that smile to his face as he goes into his child's hospital room, not knowing the outcome.
It's the wife, encouraging her husband in the face of a layoff they have no way of surviving.
It's the survivor of a debilitating car accident who now has to redesign their entire life to accommodate a loss that will never be recovered.
Things that wipe away the ability to walk, or read, or even speak. Things that often leave you feeling like you're on your own. You know that feeling. You're all alone. There's nowhere to turn.
I assure you, finding courage in these situations is possible. I've been the young divorcee on her own with two babies. I've lived through that layoff. And that man outside his child's hospital room, that's my husband.
Courage is something that everyone wants. It shows good character. It commands respect. It's something to wear, like a medal, to show others what great people we are. But many don't take into consideration the sacrifices that are made to wear that medal of honor.
It doesn't feel good, being courageous. Those that act with courage don't do it for the accolades. They do it because they don't know how else to be. They do it because that's the option that weighs heaviest on them. It's the moment when you realize "I know what I must do" and then you take that step.
So what does courage look like, you ask? It's the frail, exhausted parent, shoring himself up in the hospital hallway, willing that smile to his face as he goes into his child's hospital room, not knowing the outcome.
It's the wife, encouraging her husband in the face of a layoff they have no way of surviving.
It's the survivor of a debilitating car accident who now has to redesign their entire life to accommodate a loss that will never be recovered.
Things that wipe away the ability to walk, or read, or even speak. Things that often leave you feeling like you're on your own. You know that feeling. You're all alone. There's nowhere to turn.
I assure you, finding courage in these situations is possible. I've been the young divorcee on her own with two babies. I've lived through that layoff. And that man outside his child's hospital room, that's my husband.
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As Viktor Frankl said, "There is no need to be ashamed of tears, for tears bare witness that a man has the greatest of courage, the courage to suffer."
Courage is something that everyone wants. It shows good character. It commands respect. It's something to wear, like a medal, to show others what great people we are. But many don't take into consideration the sacrifices that are made to wear that medal of honor.
It doesn't feel good, being courageous. Those that act with courage don't do it for the accolades. They do it because they don't know how else to be. They do it because that's the option that weighs heaviest on them. It's the moment when you realize "I know what I must do" and then you take that step.
So what does courage look like, you ask? It's the frail, exhausted parent, shoring himself up in the hospital hallway, willing that smile to his face as he goes into his child's hospital room, not knowing the outcome.
It's the wife, encouraging her husband in the face of a layoff they have no way of surviving.
It's the survivor of a debilitating car accident who now has to redesign their entire life to accommodate a loss that will never be recovered.
Things that wipe away the ability to walk, or read, or even speak. Things that often leave you feeling like you're on your own. You know that feeling. You're all alone. There's nowhere to turn.
I assure you, finding courage in these situations is possible. I've been the young divorcee on her own with two babies. I've lived through that layoff. And that man outside his child's hospital room, that's my husband.
Courage is something that everyone wants. It shows good character. It commands respect. It's something to wear, like a medal, to show others what great people we are. But many don't take into consideration the sacrifices that are made to wear that medal of honor.
It doesn't feel good, being courageous. Those that act with courage don't do it for the accolades. They do it because they don't know how else to be. They do it because that's the option that weighs heaviest on them. It's the moment when you realize "I know what I must do" and then you take that step.
So what does courage look like, you ask? It's the frail, exhausted parent, shoring himself up in the hospital hallway, willing that smile to his face as he goes into his child's hospital room, not knowing the outcome.
It's the wife, encouraging her husband in the face of a layoff they have no way of surviving.
It's the survivor of a debilitating car accident who now has to redesign their entire life to accommodate a loss that will never be recovered.
Things that wipe away the ability to walk, or read, or even speak. Things that often leave you feeling like you're on your own. You know that feeling. You're all alone. There's nowhere to turn.
I assure you, finding courage in these situations is possible. I've been the young divorcee on her own with two babies. I've lived through that layoff. And that man outside his child's hospital room, that's my husband.
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"No statue has ever been erected in honor of a critic. If you want to win, you have to show up and be vulnerable."
Courage requires personal sacrifice. It demands that you take the risk of failing. It calls for skin in the game. It's far simpler to sit on the sidelines. To criticize and sneer at those who have the audacity to take the leap across the chasm. But there's no meaning or fulfillment in that.
While much of courage is an instinctual thing, consciously stepping up to weather a storm is possible. Courage is a soft skill you can teach yourself. The first step is to be gracious with yourself and admit you feel fear. That is the only way to properly frame fear so you can push past it.
I know from personal experience that some fears just never go away. But if you can embrace that fear, and understand that you're just going to have to go through the actions while feeling the fear, you'll move so much closer to being courageous.
So, the next time you need to be courageous and feel fear creeping in, try this... breathe. Breathing is hard-wired into our sympathetic nervous system. It's powerful when used. Breathing is overlooked so many times and yet it's so helpful.
Deep breathing, mindfulness, and being aware help so much in reducing the overall panic or stress. Knowing how to actively reduce the immediate feeling of stress creates a sense of confidence inside you. It's from this confidence that the seedlings of courage first sprout.
Another big thing is to determine if the fear you are feeling is irrational or real Sometimes what you feel is real fear and there are coping mechanisms you can use to help you deal with that fear. I have found it important to first acknowledge which type of fear it is. Then, demonstrate courage. The act of being courageous when you are afraid really does help you grow into your courage.
You just have to jump in, or at least, align yourself in that direction. Teach yourself to embrace failure as a learning experience and keep moving forward. Rolling up in a ball and declaring defeat just solidifies the fear. It doesn't help you at all. Learn to deal with life's uncertainties. You won't be able to avoid all of life's hardships, but you can teach yourself to cope with them.
Courage requires personal sacrifice. It demands that you take the risk of failing. It calls for skin in the game. It's far simpler to sit on the sidelines. To criticize and sneer at those who have the audacity to take the leap across the chasm. But there's no meaning or fulfillment in that.
While much of courage is an instinctual thing, consciously stepping up to weather a storm is possible. Courage is a soft skill you can teach yourself. The first step is to be gracious with yourself and admit you feel fear. That is the only way to properly frame fear so you can push past it.
I know from personal experience that some fears just never go away. But if you can embrace that fear, and understand that you're just going to have to go through the actions while feeling the fear, you'll move so much closer to being courageous.
So, the next time you need to be courageous and feel fear creeping in, try this... breathe. Breathing is hard-wired into our sympathetic nervous system. It's powerful when used. Breathing is overlooked so many times and yet it's so helpful.
Deep breathing, mindfulness, and being aware help so much in reducing the overall panic or stress. Knowing how to actively reduce the immediate feeling of stress creates a sense of confidence inside you. It's from this confidence that the seedlings of courage first sprout.
Another big thing is to determine if the fear you are feeling is irrational or real Sometimes what you feel is real fear and there are coping mechanisms you can use to help you deal with that fear. I have found it important to first acknowledge which type of fear it is. Then, demonstrate courage. The act of being courageous when you are afraid really does help you grow into your courage.
You just have to jump in, or at least, align yourself in that direction. Teach yourself to embrace failure as a learning experience and keep moving forward. Rolling up in a ball and declaring defeat just solidifies the fear. It doesn't help you at all. Learn to deal with life's uncertainties. You won't be able to avoid all of life's hardships, but you can teach yourself to cope with them.
settings
"No statue has ever been erected in honor of a critic. If you want to win, you have to show up and be vulnerable."
Courage requires personal sacrifice. It demands that you take the risk of failing. It calls for skin in the game. It's far simpler to sit on the sidelines. To criticize and sneer at those who have the audacity to take the leap across the chasm. But there's no meaning or fulfillment in that.
While much of courage is an instinctual thing, consciously stepping up to weather a storm is possible. Courage is a soft skill you can teach yourself. The first step is to be gracious with yourself and admit you feel fear. That is the only way to properly frame fear so you can push past it.
I know from personal experience that some fears just never go away. But if you can embrace that fear, and understand that you're just going to have to go through the actions while feeling the fear, you'll move so much closer to being courageous.
So, the next time you need to be courageous and feel fear creeping in, try this... breathe. Breathing is hard-wired into our sympathetic nervous system. It's powerful when used. Breathing is overlooked so many times and yet it's so helpful.
Deep breathing, mindfulness, and being aware help so much in reducing the overall panic or stress. Knowing how to actively reduce the immediate feeling of stress creates a sense of confidence inside you. It's from this confidence that the seedlings of courage first sprout.
Another big thing is to determine if the fear you are feeling is irrational or real Sometimes what you feel is real fear and there are coping mechanisms you can use to help you deal with that fear. I have found it important to first acknowledge which type of fear it is. Then, demonstrate courage. The act of being courageous when you are afraid really does help you grow into your courage.
You just have to jump in, or at least, align yourself in that direction. Teach yourself to embrace failure as a learning experience and keep moving forward. Rolling up in a ball and declaring defeat just solidifies the fear. It doesn't help you at all. Learn to deal with life's uncertainties. You won't be able to avoid all of life's hardships, but you can teach yourself to cope with them.
Courage requires personal sacrifice. It demands that you take the risk of failing. It calls for skin in the game. It's far simpler to sit on the sidelines. To criticize and sneer at those who have the audacity to take the leap across the chasm. But there's no meaning or fulfillment in that.
While much of courage is an instinctual thing, consciously stepping up to weather a storm is possible. Courage is a soft skill you can teach yourself. The first step is to be gracious with yourself and admit you feel fear. That is the only way to properly frame fear so you can push past it.
I know from personal experience that some fears just never go away. But if you can embrace that fear, and understand that you're just going to have to go through the actions while feeling the fear, you'll move so much closer to being courageous.
So, the next time you need to be courageous and feel fear creeping in, try this... breathe. Breathing is hard-wired into our sympathetic nervous system. It's powerful when used. Breathing is overlooked so many times and yet it's so helpful.
Deep breathing, mindfulness, and being aware help so much in reducing the overall panic or stress. Knowing how to actively reduce the immediate feeling of stress creates a sense of confidence inside you. It's from this confidence that the seedlings of courage first sprout.
Another big thing is to determine if the fear you are feeling is irrational or real Sometimes what you feel is real fear and there are coping mechanisms you can use to help you deal with that fear. I have found it important to first acknowledge which type of fear it is. Then, demonstrate courage. The act of being courageous when you are afraid really does help you grow into your courage.
You just have to jump in, or at least, align yourself in that direction. Teach yourself to embrace failure as a learning experience and keep moving forward. Rolling up in a ball and declaring defeat just solidifies the fear. It doesn't help you at all. Learn to deal with life's uncertainties. You won't be able to avoid all of life's hardships, but you can teach yourself to cope with them.
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I love when Jordan Peterson says "Life Is Suffering." Throughout his research, work and study, he advises to acknowledge this and to be responsible in creating your life so you can find contentment in the face of this truth.
Because of my PTSD, I have learned another useful perspective -- to embrace my fears like you'd embrace that eccentric, crazy aunt whose presence you lovingly endure, but feel a rush of relief once the visit is over.
Some of my fears are never going to go away. They may visit from time to time. But I choose to be courageous. I am not going to let irrational fear steal joy from me. I choose to act within the fear.
Because of my PTSD, I have learned another useful perspective -- to embrace my fears like you'd embrace that eccentric, crazy aunt whose presence you lovingly endure, but feel a rush of relief once the visit is over.
Some of my fears are never going to go away. They may visit from time to time. But I choose to be courageous. I am not going to let irrational fear steal joy from me. I choose to act within the fear.
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I love when Jordan Peterson says "Life Is Suffering." Throughout his research, work and study, he advises to acknowledge this and to be responsible in creating your life so you can find contentment in the face of this truth.
Because of my PTSD, I have learned another useful perspective -- to embrace my fears like you'd embrace that eccentric, crazy aunt whose presence you lovingly endure, but feel a rush of relief once the visit is over.
Some of my fears are never going to go away. They may visit from time to time. But I choose to be courageous. I am not going to let irrational fear steal joy from me. I choose to act within the fear.
Because of my PTSD, I have learned another useful perspective -- to embrace my fears like you'd embrace that eccentric, crazy aunt whose presence you lovingly endure, but feel a rush of relief once the visit is over.
Some of my fears are never going to go away. They may visit from time to time. But I choose to be courageous. I am not going to let irrational fear steal joy from me. I choose to act within the fear.
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If there's anything you take away from this, let it be these things:
I want to leave you with one tiny nugget that you can begin doing right now, every day to be a little bit more courageous. As you go about the rest of your day today, even the rest of this week, be courageous enough to challenge those stories that you tell yourself.
You know what I'm talking about. Those stories, the ones that keep you on the sidelines in your own life. Those little lies we parade around as truths to ease our fears. Be courageous enough to just admit if they are true. You don't even have to do anything else.
You will be surprised that this little action will make you feel better, and will help you choose courage more often.
- Courage is about the long-game. It's about the distance traveled. And it's measured in the day-to-day steps you take.
- Accept that it will be difficult, even bordering on the impossible. But your amazing story is waiting to be written. Don't lose sight of that.
- Your efforts will pay off. Over time, your courage will increase, and it will begin to show up in so many areas.
- Know that if you're afraid, then you're doing it right. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Understand you're not alone, most humans feel fear in the face of difficulty.
I want to leave you with one tiny nugget that you can begin doing right now, every day to be a little bit more courageous. As you go about the rest of your day today, even the rest of this week, be courageous enough to challenge those stories that you tell yourself.
You know what I'm talking about. Those stories, the ones that keep you on the sidelines in your own life. Those little lies we parade around as truths to ease our fears. Be courageous enough to just admit if they are true. You don't even have to do anything else.
You will be surprised that this little action will make you feel better, and will help you choose courage more often.
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If there's anything you take away from this, let it be these things:
• Courage is about the long-game. It's about the distance traveled. And it's measured in the day-to-day steps you take
• Accept that it will be difficult, even bordering on the impossible. But your amazing story is waiting to be written. Don't lose sight of that.
• Your efforts will pay off. Over time, your courage will increase, and it will begin to show up in so many areas.
• Know that if you're afraid, then you're doing it right. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Understand you're not alone, most humans feel fear in the face of difficulty.
I want to leave you with one tiny nugget that you can begin doing right now, every day to be a little bit more courageous. As you go about the rest of your day today, even the rest of this week, be courageous enough to challenge those stories that you tell yourself.
You know what I'm talking about. Those stories, the ones that keep you on the sidelines in your own life. Those little lies we parade around as truths to ease our fears. Be courageous enough to just admit if they are true. You don't even have to do anything else.
You will be surprised that this little action will make you feel better, and will help you choose courage more often.
• Courage is about the long-game. It's about the distance traveled. And it's measured in the day-to-day steps you take
• Accept that it will be difficult, even bordering on the impossible. But your amazing story is waiting to be written. Don't lose sight of that.
• Your efforts will pay off. Over time, your courage will increase, and it will begin to show up in so many areas.
• Know that if you're afraid, then you're doing it right. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Understand you're not alone, most humans feel fear in the face of difficulty.
I want to leave you with one tiny nugget that you can begin doing right now, every day to be a little bit more courageous. As you go about the rest of your day today, even the rest of this week, be courageous enough to challenge those stories that you tell yourself.
You know what I'm talking about. Those stories, the ones that keep you on the sidelines in your own life. Those little lies we parade around as truths to ease our fears. Be courageous enough to just admit if they are true. You don't even have to do anything else.
You will be surprised that this little action will make you feel better, and will help you choose courage more often.
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